Reese's Cocoa Krispie Treats

Name: Reeses Cocoa Krispie Treats
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 8 tablespoons unsalted butter; ¼ teaspoon salt; 10 ounces mini marshmallows (divided); 8 cups Cocoa Krispies cereal; 1 ½ cups pretzel twists (broken into pieces); ½ cup Reese’s peanut butter cup minis; ¼ cup Reese’s peanut butter chips; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened at room temperature); ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk (or heavy whipping cream); pretzels; Reese’s peanut butter cups; Reese’s peanut butter chips

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These Reese’s Cocoa Krispie Treats are loaded with a mouthwatering combination of rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter and crunchy pretzels. Together they make a tasty no-bake treat that’s always a hit and absolutely perfect for any occasion.

Cocoa Krispie Treats stackes on white plate

If you love sweet and salty desserts, you’ll want to give these incredible Cocoa Krispie treats a try. With Cocoa Krispies, gooey melted marshmallows, peanut butter cups and crunchy pretzels, this treat will make everyone’s mouth water!

You can never with chocolate and peanut butter together and these no bake treats are loaded with flavor. It’s a decadent dessert that takes the original recipe to a whole new level!

If you love this flavor combination as much as we do, you’ll also want to check out these Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting and Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownies.

Why We Love This Recipe

Easy to make – This recipe makes a super easy no-bake dessert that you can whip up in just 15 minutes.

Kid-friendly– Kids and adults alike will love these. They’re perfect for children’s parties, an after-school snack, or just any time those chocolate cravings hit.

Delicious flavors- The chocolatey taste of the Cocoa Krispies treats pairs perfectly with creamy peanut butter and the saltiness from the pretzels adds a tasty finishing touch.

For the Cocoa Krispies

Unsalted butter
Salt
Mini marshmallows
Pure vanilla extract
Cocoa Krispies (or any chocolate rice cereal)
Pretzel twists, broken into pieces
Reese’s minis
Reese’s chips

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

Unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
Creamy peanut butter
Pure vanilla extract
Salt
Powdered sugar
Milk or heavy whipping cream

Additional Toppings:

Pretzels
Reese’s cups
Reese’s chips

How to Make Cocoa Krispie Treats

For the Treats

Step 1: Lightly spray the inside of an 11×14 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2: Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat, then add salt.

Step 3: Reserve 1 ½ cups of mini marshmallows and set them aside to use later. Add the remaining marshmallows and stir over low heat until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.

Step 4: Once the the marshmallows have melted, remove from heat and add the chocolate cereal, the 1 ½ cups of mini marshmallows set aside earlier, pretzels, Reese’s minis and chips.

Ingredients for cocoa krispie treats in pan

Step 5. Carefully fold together until evenly distributed. Be gentle so you don’t break up the ingredients too much.

Step 6. Spread mixture into the prepared baking dish and lightly press it down into an even layer using a rubber spatula. Don’t pack it too firmly or your treats may be too compact and hard to bite into.

Cocoa krispie treats ingredients in baking pan

For the Frosting and Toppings

Step 1. Add the butter and peanut butter to a medium mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy.

Step 2. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt, mixing until incorporated.

Peanut butter mixture with vanilla and salt

Peanut butter mixture with salt and vanilla

Step 3. Gradually add in the powdered sugar. Mix together on low speed until fully incorporated.

Powdered sugar and peanut butter mixture

Step 4. Add the milk or heavy whipping cream and beat on high speed for about 1 minute or until you get a thick and spreadable frosting.

Peanut butter frosting for cocoa krispie treats

Step 5. Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting over the top in an even layer.

Step 6. Top with additional chopped Reese’s, pretzels, and peanut butter chips.

Cocoa Krispie treats with peanut butter frosting

Cocoa krispie treats topped with reeses and pretzels

Step 7. Leave at at room temperature for 30 minutes before cutting into bars. This will help it set and keep a square shape.

Reeses peanut butter cocoa krispie treats

How Do I Store Rice Cereal Treats?

These are the best eaten the same day you make them. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. If they’re cut into individual squares, wrapping them in wax paper will help make sure they stay fresh.

If they end up hardening, you can slightly warm them up in the microwave for about 15 seconds at a time on the lowest setting, until they are softened. Be sure you don’t overheat though or the frosting will melt.

Can I Freeze Them?

It’s not recommended that you freezer leftovers. When you thaw them, condensation usually forms on their surface, making them soggy and less crispy.

Recipe Add-ins and Variations

Chocolate chips: Instead of peanut butter chips, stir in some white chocolate or milk chocolate chips for a little bit of added chocolaty goodness.

Caramel: Drizzle small pieces of caramel candy into the marshmallow mixture while it’s still warm. It makes the treats extra gooey!

Nutella: Instead of peanut butter frosting, give it a hazelnut flavor by using Nutella spread instead.

Toasted coconut flakes: Mix in toasted coconut flakes for a slight bit of extra crunch.

M&M’s: You can add colorful M&M’s to give it a burst of color and a satisfying crunch.

Chopped nuts: Nuts are always a great addition. Mix in any of your favorite nuts like chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts. You can also use them as additional toppings.

Oreo cookies: Crush some Oreo cookies and add them to the top of the frosting. Cookies-and-cream makes everything even better!

Regular Rice Krispies: If you prefer to use regular rice cereal instead of chocolate, you can certainly swap them out in equal amounts.

Peanut butter cocoa krispie treat on a white plate from above

Can I Make This Recipe in the Microwave?

Sure! Just melt the butter and marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl on medium power. Then work quickly to add the other ingredients.

Peanut butter cocoa krispie treat on a white plate

Rice Krispie Treats Recipe Tips and Tricks

When making Rice Krispie treats, make sure to measure the ingredients accurately so the treats stay nice and chewy. Using too few marshmallows can result in dry and crumbly treats while using too many marshmallows can make them too soft to handle.

When melting the marshmallows and butter, do it over low heat because the sugar content can cause the mixture to burn easily. Once the marshmallows are gooey and smooth, remove from heat and stir well, making sure to scrape the bottom.

Once the marshmallow and butter mixture is melted, add the cereal and other ingredients immediately and stir quickly to coat the cereal evenly.

When you pour the mixture into the pan, gently press the treats using a spatula or the back of a greased spoon. Try to get them in an even layer so that the squares are all the same thickness when you cut them.

You’ll want to let them cool completely but you can speed up the process by placing the pan in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.

Be sure to use the right size pan. For this recipe, we don’t recommend using a 9 x 13 or smaller dish because once you add the toppings, they add a good bit of thickness.

Peanut butter cocoa krispie treat with a bite taken out

More Rice Krispie Treats Recipes

If you’re like us and think Rice Krispie Treats are the best snack ever, you’re going to love these fun variations!

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